Dubai to fine-tune rules and tap drone potential

The Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC), a fast-growing trade free zone, is seeking to exploit the commercial opportunities of unmanned aerial vehicles – more commonly known as drones – with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA). The two bodies said on Saturday that they would create and launch a drone trading platform as part of the […]

The Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC), a fast-growing trade free zone, is seeking to exploit the commercial opportunities of unmanned aerial vehicles – more commonly known as drones – with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

The two bodies said on Saturday that they would create and launch a drone trading platform as part of the emirate’s vehicle regulation.

Gautam Sashittal, the DMCC chief executive, received a DCAA delegation under its head of aviation regulations and safety, Michael Rudolph, and agreed to work closely with the emirate’s Department of Economic Development to refine regulations for commercial drones.

DMCC said: “We continually seek to identify new opportunities and leverage emerging technologies. We are part of a new era in aviation and are delighted to be the first free zone to launch drone licensing in Dubai, which will make it safer and easier to do aerial surveying and gather information.”

Mr Rudolph said: “Drones play an important role in modern life. From a civil aviation perspective, they are key to promoting the Dubai Smart Government vision, and the DCAA is ensuring flight safety of Dubai’s airspace. They are also essential for law enforcement organisations to maintain and monitor security on the ground. We look forward to seeing the continued expansion and impact of this technology unfold across both in the public and private sector, and we are pleased to contribute to enabling that outcome.”

Growing demands for air surveillance and remote sensing are expected to drive the commercial drones market over the coming years. Commercial drones are widely used in a broad range of applications, including law enforcement, aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, media and entertainment, and scientific research.

The UAE has been among the first to identify the commercial significance of drones.